Dr. Temitope Ilori, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), has announced that efforts are underway to support the domestic production of HIV-related commodities, including test kits and antiretroviral drugs, with plans to roll them out before the end of 2025.
Ilori made this statement on Friday in Ilorin, Kwara State, during the inauguration of the Kwara Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission and Pediatric ART Acceleration Committee. She highlighted that the local production of HIV commodities is a key component of the government’s broader strategy to eliminate AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
The NACA Director-General further emphasized other measures being implemented to achieve this goal, including the enrollment of all citizens into the national health insurance scheme, resource mobilization for states, advocacy campaigns, and support for vaccine research and innovation.
Ilori explained that the newly established committee aims to create an AIDS-Free Generation while ensuring a sustainable HIV response. According to UNAIDS’ 2023 report, approximately 140,000 children aged 0-14 are living with HIV, with 22,000 new infections and 15,000 AIDS-related deaths annually. Despite some progress, coverage for Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) and pediatric HIV treatment is still below 33%, falling short of the 95% target.
In response to this, the Global Alliance Action Plan to End AIDS in Children, launched in 2021 with full financial backing, has not yet achieved optimal coverage.
While Kwara State’s HIV prevalence rate of 0.8% is below the national average of 1.4%, there are still disparities. Women, for instance, are disproportionately affected, with an infection rate of 1.3% compared to men’s 0.4%. Certain local governments in the state also require targeted interventions to further reduce the prevalence.
Ilori stressed that eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission is within reach, urging all partners to assist in developing a comprehensive list of children born to HIV-positive parents, which is crucial for accelerating pediatric ART services across the country.
She also mentioned that the Minister of State for Health has set up a national acceleration committee, with the model being replicated at the state level to eliminate mother-to-child transmission and improve program monitoring in real-time.
However, Ilori acknowledged the importance of shifting towards government-led sustainability efforts to reduce reliance on donor funding. She pointed out that despite the recent 90-day foreign aid suspension, HIV services are exempt, but this situation highlights the critical need for local sustainability.
In response, Kwara State Deputy Governor, Kayode Alabi, assured that the state government would support the committee in fulfilling its mandate.
